Substance Abuse Treatment Gap Among Adult Parolees: Prevalence, Correlates, and Barriers

Each year 700,000 prisoners are released back into the community, and substance abuse poses an enormous threat to their successful reentry. Using data from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, this study reports on drug use and treatment exposure, prevalence of unmet treatment needs, psychosocial risks, and barriers to treatment among recent and current parolees. Findings show that whereas substance problems are higher among parolees than the general public, the former are more likely to receive treatment for their problems. Substance-abusing parolees who did not receive treatment often experienced multiple psychosocial challenges. Lack of health care coverage, lack of transportation, and lack of readiness for change were identified as major treatment barriers. Policy implications are discussed.